Putin tells US envoys he wants permanent peace in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin told US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Kremlin on Thursday that he wants a permanent peace in Ukraine, according to Russian outlet Kommersant. Putin emphasized that people living in the disputed territories matter more than territorial questions, while stating Russia's state borders are incontestable. The meeting followed trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, where some progress was reported but trust issues and territorial disagreements remained. Putin also proposed a humanitarian operation in Kosteantînivka, Donbas, modeled on the October ceasefire in Oleşki that allowed civilian evacuations. He said Russia fully controls the town and could guarantee safety for a humanitarian team, with demining expected to take about five days.